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Compaction of Soil

Standard and modified Proctor compaction tests determine the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of soils by compacting soil samples at different moisture levels using standardized compactive effort. The modified test uses a larger hammer and more compacted layers to better represent field compaction for heavy construction. Key soil properties are affected differently depending on whether compaction occurs dry or wet of optimum moisture content.

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18 views31 pages

Compaction of Soil

Standard and modified Proctor compaction tests determine the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of soils by compacting soil samples at different moisture levels using standardized compactive effort. The modified test uses a larger hammer and more compacted layers to better represent field compaction for heavy construction. Key soil properties are affected differently depending on whether compaction occurs dry or wet of optimum moisture content.

Uploaded by

Farhan Khan
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Compaction of Soil

Laboratory Compaction Tests


 The aim of the test is to establish the maximum dry unit weight that may
be attained for a given soil with a standard amount of compactive effort.

 When a series of samples of a soil are compacted at different water


content the plot usually shows a distinct peak.

 The fundamentals of compaction of fine grained soils are relatively new. R.R.
Proctor in the early 1930’s developed the principles of compaction.

 The proctor test is an impact compaction. A hammer is dropped several


times on a soil sample in a mold.

 The mass of the hammer, height of drop, number of drops, number of layers
of soil, and the volume of the mold are specified.
 There are several types of test which can be used to
study the compactive properties of soils.

 Laboratory Compaction Tests


 1. Standard Procter Test is not sufficient for airway and
highways,

 Modified Procter Test was later adopted by AASHTO and


ASTM
Standard Procter Test
 Soil is compacted into a mould in 3-5 equal layers, each
layer receiving 25 blows of a hammer of standard weight.
The energy (compactive effort) supplied in this test is 595
kJ/m3. The important dimensions are
Laboratory methods of Compaction
 Proctor established that compaction is a function of four variables:
 Dry density (ρd) or dry unit weight γd.

 Water content wc

 Compactive effort (energy E)

 Soil type (gradation, presence of clay minerals, etc.)

 The soil is mixed with varying amounts of water to achieve different water
contents.

 Several samples of the same soil , but at different water contents, are compacted
according to the compaction test specification.

 Apply 25 blows from the rammer dropped from a height of 305 mm above the
soil.
The Proctor Test (after Ralph R. Proctor, 1933)
 Distribute the blows uniformly over the surface and ensure
that the rammer always falls freely and is not obstructed.

 Rammer Pattern for compaction in 101.6 mm Mold


 The unit weight and the actual water content of each
compacted sample are measured

 Derive the dry unit weight from the known unit weight
and water content.
 Plot the dry unit weight versus water content for each
compacted sample.
 Determine the maximum dry weight and OMC
Modified Procter Test
 Was developed during World War II

 By the U.S. Army Corps of Engineering For a better representation


of the compaction required for airfield to support heavy aircraft.

 Same as the Standard Proctor Test with the following exceptions:


 The soil is compacted in five layers

 Hammer weight is 10 Lbs or 4.54 Kg

 Drop height h is 18 inches or 45.72cm

 Then the amount of Energy is calculated


 Uniformly distribution of the blows over the surface
Comparison-Curves
Comparison-Summary
Standard Proctor Test Modified Proctor Test
Mold size: 943.3cm^3 Mold size: 943.3cm^3

304.8 mm height of drop 457.2 mm height of drop

24.4 N hammer 44.5 N hammer

3 layers 5 layers

25 blows/layer 25 blows/layer

Energy 591.3 kN.m/m^3 Energy 2696 kN.m/m^3


Compaction of sand
Factors affecting compaction
1. Water content

2. Amount of compaction

3. Type of soil

4. Method of compaction

5. admixtures
 Water content
 The dry density of the soil
increases with an increase
in the water content till the
optimum level.
 Amount of compaction
 MDD does not increasing
with an increase in the
compactive efforts.
Type of soil
Effect of Compaction On Properties of Soil
1. Soil structure
2. Permeability
3. Swelling
4. Porewater pressure
5. Shrinkage
6. Compressibility
7. Stress- Strain relationship
8. Shear Strength
Effect on soil Structure
 The water content at which the soil is
compacted plays an important role in
soil structure.

 Soils compacted at water content less


than optimum water content have
flocculated structure.

 Soils compacted at water content


more than optimum water content
have dispersed structure.
Permeability
 Permeability of soil depends on
void size.
 As water content increases, there
is an improved orientation of
particles resulting in reduction of
void size and permeability.
 Above optimum water content
,the permeability slightly
increases.
 If compactive effort is increased,
the permeability decreases due
to increased dry density.
Swelling
 The effect of compaction is to
reduce void space.
 Hence swelling is enormously
reduced.
 Further soil compacted dry of
optimum exhibits greater swell
than compacted on wet side
because of random orientation
and deficiency of water.
Pore water Pressure

 It is defined as pressure of ground water held within a rock or

soil, in gaps between particles (pores).

 The pore water pressure for soil compacted dry of optimum is

therefore less than that for the same soil compacted wet of

optimum.
Shrinkage
 Soils compacted dry of optimum shrink less when

compared to compacted wet of optimum.

 The soils compacted wet of optimum shrink more

because the soil particles in dispersed structure can pack

more efficiently.
Compressibility
 The flocculated structure on the dry side of optimum offers
greater resistance to compression than the dispersed structure
on wet side.

 So, the soils compacted dry of optimum are less compressible.

 Compressibility of soil also depends upon degree of saturation


and method of compaction.
Stress-Strain relationship
 The soil compacted dry of
optimum have steeper stress-
strain curve than those on wet
side.
 The strength and modulus of
elasticity of soil on dry side of
optimum will be high.
 Soil compacted dry of optimum
shows brittle failure.
 And soils compacted on wet
side experience increased
strain.
Shear Strength
 In general, the soils compacted
dry of optimum have a higher
shear strength than wet of
optimum at lower strains.

 However at large strains the


flocculated structure of soil is
broken and ultimate strength
will be equal for both dry and
wet sides.
Summery
Soil Property DRY SIDE WET SIDE
STRUCTURE MORE RANDOM MORE ORIENTED

PERMEABILITY MORE PERMEABLE LESS PERMEABLE

MORE MORE
COMPRESSIBLE IN COMPRESSIBLE IN
COMPRESSIBILITY
HIGH PRESSURE LOW PRESSURE
RANGE RANGE

SWELLING SWELL MORE SHRINK MORE

STRENGTH HIGHER LESSER

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